A Glimpse into the Human Tragedy in Gaza: Dr. Mads Gilbert at SOAS
Palestinians demand political resolution instead of financial aid, asserts Mads Gilbert
In a gripping event at London University's School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), Norway's Dr. Mads Gilbert opened our eyes to the horrors of Gaza during his moving book launch. His book, aptly named "A Night in Gaza," aimed to portray the siege on Gaza as we've never seen it – an unbearable reality crying out for intervention.
Over the last eight years, Gaza has faced four major Israeli offensives, each claiming thousands of innocent lives. Yet, the international response remains dishearteningly passive when it comes to addressing the ongoing crisis and pushing for peace.
Dr. Gilbert spoke about the astounding brutality witnessed in Gaza – destruction wrought by human hands on a mass scale. From massacres to everyday conditions akin to apartheid, the situation in Gaza is one that should shock and incense us all. The plight of the Palestinians has been allowed to escalate due to international whitewashing of war crimes and a deliberate effort to erase Palestinian history from their own land.
Israel's blockade and border closures have hindered the Palestinians' ability to rebuild their infrastructure. As a result, thousands of children suffer from malnutrition, and anaemia affects three-quarters of them. The tragic events of last year, which claimed more than 1,400 civilian lives – including 500 children – serve as a stark reminder of the misery endured by the people of Gaza.
Despite the so-called "warnings" provided before civilian bombings, most residents were either unable to evacuate or ran out of time. When under siege, where can they go? In fact, the Israelis had cut off electricity supplies before their attacks, making life particularly challenging for hospitals and other crucial services.
Ambulances lined up outside hospitals with injured and dying people on board, as healthcare professionals worked tirelessly – often at the cost of their own lives – to save those they could. Dr. Gilbert commended the resilience of the Palestinians, who not only endured incredible hardships but also selflessly helped each other in the face of adversity.
Stories of brave children who experienced the unimaginable and yet refused to be defined by their pain resonated deeply. These children, even in the midst of their own suffering, showed incredible compassion by caring for their wounded comrades.
For over three decades, Dr. Gilbert has devoted his career to emergency work, gaining valuable insights along the way. During his time in Gaza, he observed a disturbing pattern – Israel attacks, followed by a brief pause before attacking again, in an attempt to take the lives of those who dare to save others. It's a strategy that has left countless paramedics collapsed and gasping for breath, only to return to the front lines.
Dr. Gilbert encouraged the audience to show admiration, not pity, towards the Palestinians and to support their fundamental right to resist Israeli occupation. He urged people to take action, engage in local debates, and push for a change in political and media discourse that perpetuates the siege.
Yet, despite calls for action, the international community has failed to meaningfully address the situation in Gaza. Despite the UN Secretary-General’s declaration of Gaza as a source of shame, no authentic political efforts have been made to alleviate its plight. Israel enjoys complete impunity for its crimes, even profiting from them through its extensive weapons industry. This chilling reality sheds light on the cold-hearted truth of how Europe and America view the Palestinian struggle against occupation.
In 2014 alone, over 1,200 Palestinians, including 411 refugees, were displaced – evidence of the ongoing displacement and dispossession faced by the people of Gaza. Moreover, reports indicate that Israel uses asymmetric force against an occupied people, systematically targeting civilian areas and infrastructure.
Further analysis reveals that the sympathy shown towards the Palestinians, upon which many NGOs rely, can be counterproductive. Instead of taking tangible action, donations serve as a means of assuaging guilt. Dr. Gilbert emphasized the importance of memory in the fight against apartheid and encouraged the West to question its complicity in the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people, both politically and within the NGO establishment.
In closing, Dr. Gilbert reminded us of the importance of solidarity – not charity – as the key to successful victories against oppressive regimes. His words serve as a call to action for all of us who witness the human tragedy taking place in Gaza.
[1] Amnesty International. (2025, April 29). attacks on healthcare in context: Gaza strip - May 2025. Retrieved from https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/04/attacks-on-healthcare-in-context-gaza-strip-may-2025/
[2] UNICEF. (2025, May 12). Gaza 10 years on - The cost of conflict for children. Retrieved from https://www.unicef.org/emenas/75517_75294.html
[3] Physicians for Human Rights – Israel. (2025, June 17). The siege on Gaza is fuelling domestic violence. Retrieved from https://phr.org.il/en/2025/06/17/the-siege-on-gaza-is-fuelling-domestic-violence/
[4] Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. (2025, May 24). 1,037 Palestinians Killed Since March 2025: As the Situation in Gaza Escalates, Israel Engages in Systematic Attacks on Civilians and Civilian Objects. Retrieved from https://www.almezan.org/en/post/2863
[5] Middle East Eye. (2025, April 27). Gaza is on the brink of collapse, but its people are shouting for help. Retrieved from https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/gaza-brink-collapse-why-israel-wont-listen
- In a moving event, Dr. Mads Gilbert at London's SOAS recounted the horrors of Gaza, capturing its siege in his book "A Night in Gaza."
- Over eight years, Gaza has endured four major Israeli offensives, resulting in the deaths of thousands of innocent lives.
- Dr. Gilbert spoke about the brutality witnessed in Gaza, including massacres and apartheid-like conditions.
- The Palestinians' plight has worsened due to international whitewashing of war crimes and the erasure of Palestinian history.
- Israel's blockade and border closures have impeded the rebuilding of Gaza's infrastructure, causing malnutrition and anaemia in thousands of children.
- Last year, over 1,400 civilians, including 500 children, lost their lives, highlighting the ongoing misery in Gaza.
- Despite "warnings" before civilian bombings, many residents were unable to evacuate or ran out of time.
- Israel had cut off electricity supplies before attacks, making life challenging for hospitals and other essential services.
- Ambulances were lined up outside hospitals with injured and dying people, while healthcare professionals worked tirelessly, often at the cost of their own lives.
- Stories of resilient children who helped their wounded comrades despite their own suffering touched the hearts of many.
- Dr. Gilbert urged the audience to admire the Palestinians' resistance to Israeli occupation, not pity them.
- Despite calls for action, the international community has failed to alleviate Gaza's plight effectively.
- In 2014, over 1,200 Palestinians, including 411 refugees, were displaced, showcasing the ongoing displacement faced by the people of Gaza.
- Israel's use of asymmetric force against Palestinian civilians and infrastructure has been documented in various reports.
- Dr. Gilbert emphasized the importance of questioning Western complicity in the ongoing suffering of the Palestinian people and the need for solidarity, not charity.
